Solo skier found dead after triggering sizable avalanche northwest of Banff
A solo skier has been found dead days after triggering an avalanche last Friday in Yoho National Park, Parks Canada reported on Wednesday.
The man in his 40s skied off the shoulder of a slope known as Cathedral Glades when the size 2.5 avalanche was triggered on Cathedral Mountain, about 60 kilometres northwest of Banff.
Parks Canada received a report from RCMP of an overdue skier around 4 p.m. on Monday. The missing person's vehicle had been found in the Lake O'hara parking lot.
The man had been skiing in the Lake Louise area since last Thursday, and was supposed to return home Sunday evening, said Parks Canada spokesman Aaron Beardmore.
Beardmore said that even having the vehicle's location, the four-day timeline meant there was a lot of land that could have been travelled.
“The wide search area was challenging for rescuers,” he said.
Limited information of the skier's trip plans made for an extensive search within the Lake O'hara area, said Parks Canada. All ski tracks, as well as high-risk areas such as steep slopes were investigated. “Ticking those off systematically, and they weren't coming up with much as they were flying around,” he said.
Coming toward the end of the search, there was one final avalanche deposit to check, where rescuers noticed a ski from the air, said Beardmore.
The victim's body was located around 7:15 p.m. on Monday, partially buried, with a boot visible on the snow surface. A transceiver was found switched off in the victim's backpack, which delayed search efforts, according to Parks Canada.
An incident date was determined by a professional observation made on Saturday, which identified the avalanche as being approximately 12 hours old, says Avalanche Canada. However, Parks Canada indicated it is not known exactly when the avalanche occurred.
“It was a substantial avalanche, and much smaller avalanches have killed and injured people historically,” Beardmore said.
He said even a size 0.5 avalanche with the right terrain feature can be dangerous.
“This kind of thing weighs heavy on rescuers, a very sad event. We do extend our condolences to the individual's family and friends.”
Parks Canada advised that anyone choosing to recreate in the backcountry of the national parks should check avalanche bulletins before heading out, carry appropriate safety equipment and ensure a friend or family member is informed of travel plans.
In general, Beardmore said the biggest factors playing into avalanche risk are temperature, precipitation and wind.
He also said Parks Canada recommends anyone journeying into avalanche territory consider an Avalanche Skills Training Level 1 Course, which involves two days in a classroom and one day in the field with a mountain guide.
“It gives the basics on avalanche safety, which dozens of providers between Calgary and Vancouver do.”